Friction-clutch.



PATENTED MAR. 3; 1903.`

No. 721,799.'A

M, C. HARRIS. FRIGTION CLUTCH. APPLIoATIoN FILED un. s, 1902.

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No. 721,799. 'PATENTED MARS, 1.903. M. c.` HARRIS.-

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UNITED STATES- PATRNT- OFFICE.,

kMARSHALL C. HARRIS, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

FRICT'ION- CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 721,799, dated March 3, 1903.

Application filed April 8, 1902. Serial No. 101,946. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern: p

Be it known that I, MARSHALL C. HARRIS, a citizen of the United States, residing at 1307 Call Building, in the city and county of San Francisco' and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Friction-Clutches and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

This invention relates to improvements in winding drums, particularly to frictionclutches for winding-drums; and it consists in the novel construction and arrangementV of the parts.

This invention is particularly applicable to what is known in the art as clam shell dredgers, wherein'the bucket or scoop is constructed of two parts resembling clam-shells in contour, connected bya scissors-lever, to the ends of which are attached separate cables. The operation of the bucket is controlled by these cables, which pass upward over the end of a swinging boom and thence back to the winding-drums on the barge. These windingdrums have heretofore been of various constructions, all more or less Asubject to the following disadvantages: heating and sticking of the parts, due to unscientific application of the friction; disalinement of the parts, due to wear and tear, with the consequent uncertainty in operation and increased power necessary to set and release the friction; and inaccessibility of the wearing parts in repairing.

The objects sought to be accomplished are the correction and elimination of the above disadvantages; further, to render all parts positive in operation, eliminating all springs or other negative members.

In the drawings, Figure l isa vertical crosssection, on the lineX X, Fig. 2, of a windingdrum mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. v2 is a side elevation of the driving gear-wheel of the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a cross-section of the driving-shaft, taken on the line XI XI. Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the driving-shaft. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail of the periphery -of the driving gear-wheel,showing the method .laterally by the key A9.

of placing and adjusting the friction-'blocks therein. Fig. 6 is a detail View of the connection between'the lever J' and the arm J.

In the description with reference to the drawings similar reference-letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The driving gear-wheel A is mounted loosely on the shaft B and is meshed with the main driving-pinion, being thus adapted to run as an idler when the friction is off. The rotation of the gear A being constant, provision is made for taking up the wear in the hub by inserting the wearing-rings A', of a suitable bland metal. To facilitate the placing of these rings, the rings A2, turned to fit the hub snugly, are provided. The set-screws A being slackened off, the whole internal bearing may be removed from the gear-wheel. In this manner a more accurate adjustment may be made in the wearing-rings. The shaft B is journaled in the pillow-blocks B, suitably supported on the pillars B2.

The friction mechanisms consist of the V- shaped segmental blocks A3, (hereinafter referred to as the male friction,) fixed to the lateral periphery of the gear-wheel A on either side. These blocks are set in pockets formed in the rim of the gear-wheel A and held securely in placev by the bolt A4, countersunk into the blocks and extending through the web forming the rim of the wheel. The wear of the blocks A3 is taken up by the wedgeblocks A5, inserted from behind through open-ings formed in the offset portion of the rim of the wheel. The blocks A5 are' forced into place by the jack-screws A6, threaded in the lugs A7, the effect being obvious. The female friction on the right of the wheel A consists of the dished Wheel C, keyed longitudinally to the shaft by the feather A8, and In this manner this friction C becomes a fixed positive part, capable of withstanding the thrust of the movable parts. The lateral periphery of the Awheel C is V-shaped and coincident with and adapted to receive the friction-blocks A3, located on the wheel A. The female friction D on the left of the wheel A resembles that on the opposite side in regard to the form of the friction parts adjacent to the blocks A3. Itis loosely mounted on the squared portion ICO B3 of the shaft B with a free longitudinal play, but denied any rotation, except in unison with the shaft B. The winding-drum E is fixed rigidly to the face of the wheel D and is suitably constructed to perform its function, which may vary with circumstances.

The shaft B is centrally bored to receive the pin F, carrying the shoe F', abutting the hub of the winding-drum. The opposite end of the shaft is similarly bored to receive the pin G, carrying the shoes G' and G2, abutting the hub of the friction-wheel D and the hub of the gear-wheel A, respectively, the shaft being suitably slotted to accommodate the play of the said shoes. The protruding ends of the pins F and G are acted upon by the levers H and J, respectively. The levers are pivoted in the pillow-blocks. The plates F2 and G3 are interposed between the said levers and the ends of the pins to take up wear and prevent the lifting action due to the swing of the lever against the pin. The levers H and J are operated by the main lever K, which is under immediate control of the operator, the connecting-rods H and J being capable of adjustment as to length.

As illustrated, the machine is shown with the friction set, the rotation being taken up and supported by the shaft B. This result is attained by raising the lever K, which actuates the lever H to throw the pin F forward, crowding the friction-wheel D onto the male friction-blocks A3 on the rotating gear-wheel A, which in turn is carried forward into contact with the fixed friction-wheel C, which transmits the rotation to the shaft A. The forward thrust just described is taken up by the hub of the wheel C bearing against the pillow-block, also by the thrust-collars Awon the ends of the shaft. The friction is released by reversing the lever K, which releases the lever H and throws the lever J into action, advancing the pi-n G, which 0perates through the shoes G and G2 to back olf the friction-wheel D and gear-wheel A. To facilitate this action, the shoe G may be made to act a little in advance of the shoe G2 by shimming the latter-that is, the shim G3 may be of a thickness to cause the shoe G to act on the wheel D before the shoe G2 touches the wheel A. By this construction all the power applied to the lever may successively act on the two points instead of dividing the power between the two, as would occur if they acted simultaneously. As a further aid to this end some play is allowed in the connecting-rod J where it joins the lever J. This permits the power to be applied as a blow.

Important advantages follow the application of the male friction to the gear-wheel. The heating incident to the friction is insulated from the gear-wheel by the composition of the blocks A3, they being of wood or a suitable fiber. This heating is at times sucient to drive the grease from the gear-teeth. The divisions between the blocks facilitate cooling by circulation of air. The male blocks being of wood, the action of the female tends to compress same, increasing their density and preventing splitting.

In dredger-work two winding-drums are essential. Inasmuch as they are duplicates, except being right and left hand, further explanation is deemed superfluous. Where the mechanism is mounted upon barges, it is found necessary to provide the collar B4 to prevent listing from throwing the gear-wheel into contact with the wheel D. This point will be appreciated when is realized the speed of the shaft when the drum is paying out.

Particular importance is attached to 'the method of applying and releasing the friction through the medium of the hollow shaft, because of its direct action and because it is the key to applying friction in the manner described. y

Having thus described this invention,what is claimed, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

l. In winding-drum mechanisms and the like, the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported, having a square portion, a central bore, and transverse slots through the bore; a friction-wheel rigidly fixed on the shaft abutting one of its pillow-blocks; a driving-wheel loosely mounted on the shaft, adjacent the said friction-wheel; a second friction-wheel loosely mounted on the square portion of the shaft adjacent the said driving-wheel, and having a winding-drum secured thereto; friction members consisting of V-shaped blocks secured to the lateral periphery of said driving-wheel coincident with and received by a suitable surface on the adjacent friction-wheels; means for setting and releasing said frictions, consisting of pins located in the center bore of said shaft having lateral extensions through the transverse slots in the shaft, abutting the hubs of the slidable wheels; levers pivoted to the frame of the machine and impinging on the exposed ends of said pins: substantially as described.

2. In winding-drum mechanism and the like, the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported; a friction-wheel rigidly fixed thereon; a driving-wheel loosely mounted on said shaft adjacent the said frictionwheel a second friction-wheel loosely mounted on said shaft adjacent said driving-wheel; suitable friction members located between the said friction-wheels, and the said driving- Wheel; means whereby said wheels are thrown into and out of contact with each other consisting of pins extending longitudinally into the shaft, and having lateral extensions abutting the said slidable friction members, operating in slots cut in the shaft across its bore; and means for operating said pins: substantially as described.

3. In winding-drum mechanisms and the like, the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported; a friction-wheel rigidly fixed thereon; a driving-wheel loosely mounted on said shaft adjacent the said friction- IOO IIO

wheel a second friction-wheel loosely mounted Ion said shaft adjacent said driving-wheel suitable friction members located between the said friction-wheels and the driving-Wheel; and means whereby the said wheels are thrown into and out of contact with each other; substantially as described.

4. In winding-drum mechanisms and the like, the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported; a friction-wheel rigidly fixed thereon; a driving-wheel loosely mounted on said shaft adjacentv the said frictionwheel; a second friction-Wheel loosely mounted on said shaft adjacent said driving-Wheel; friction members located between the said friction-wheels, and the driving-wheel, consisting of segmental blocks bolted to the lateral periphery of the said driving-wheel; a wedge-shaped block adapted to be forced between the said segmental blocks and the rim of the wheel; means whereby the said Wheels are thrown into and out of contact with each other; substantially as described.

5. In winding-drum mechanisms or the like, the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported,a friction member rigidly Xed thereon, a friction member loosely mounted thereon, a driving-wheel between the two friction members, friction members carried by said driving-wheel on its lateral periphery, of rods running centrally into the shaft, shoes carried by said rods in slots in the shaft, and means whereby the shoes and rods are made to set and release the friction members.

6. In winding-drum mechanisms or the like, the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported, a friction member rigidly secured thereon, a friction member loosely mounted thereon, a driving-wheel looselyl mounted on the shaft, of pockets in the lateral periphery of the driving-wheel, frictionblocks seated in said pockets, and means whereby said friction-blocks are adjusted.

7. In winding-drum mechanisms or thelike,

the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported, a friction member rigidly secured thereon, a friction member loosely mounted thereon, a driving-wheel loosely mounted on the shaft, of pockets in the lateral periphery of the driving-wheel, frictionblocks seated in said pockets, said blocks having a wedge-shaped bearing-surface and a wedge-shaped back, of a wedge intermediate of the friction-block and the back of the pocket, and means whereby the wedge is forced into contact with the friction-block to adjust it.

8. In winding-drum mechanisms and the like, the combination with a rotatable shaft suitably supported, a friction-wheel rigidly fixed thereon, a friction-Wheel loosely mounted thereon and carrying a winding-drum, a driving-wheel loosely mounted on said shaft between the friction-wheels, friction-blocks carried by said driving-wheel, means for adjusting the friction-blocks carried by the driving-wheel, of rods running centrally into the shaft, shoes carried by said rods in slots in the shaft, and means whereby the shoes and rods act to set and release the friction members.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 29th day of March, 1902.

MARSHALL C. HARRIS.

Witnesses:

BALDWIN VALE, N. R. HARRIs, `J r. 

